Monday, August 2, 2010

BlackBerry a security risk

Saudi Arabia to join Emirates in blocking RIM’s data network because of potential terrorist use

The decision could prevent hundreds of thousands of users in the Mideast country from accessing email and the web on the handsets starting in October, putting the federation’s reputation as a business-friendly commercial and tourism hub at risk.

BlackBerry data is encrypted and routed overseas, and the measure could be motivated in part by government fears that the messaging system might be exploited by terrorists or other criminals who cannot be monitored by the local authorities.

However, analysts and activists also see it as an attempt to more tightly control the flow of information in the conservative country.